Story Updated: Apr 8, 2009 at 10:32 AM CDT
One man is hospitalized after an argument between a man and his estranged wife in Beaumont resulted in a shootout involving SKS assault rifles.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday officers were called to the 100 Block of East Simmons on a report of shots fired. When patrolmen arrived they determined a fight had taken place after a woman and her friends drove to her husband’s house. At some point in the argument someone pulled out an SKS rifle. Police say it appears both the husband and the wife had SKs, but it is unclear who fired first.

Investigators found a man who was in the wife’s car at the time of the argument. He had been shot in the back. The man was taken to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth where he is listed in serious condition.

A man who was in the husband’s house is believed to have fired the shot that struck the victim in the back. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

Police say a large number of spent bullets were found in the area.

Officer Crystal Holmes says it is unusual for assault rifles to be used in a shooting, but it is happening more often.
“It’s getting more common in the last year so for us to see assault rifles used in drive-bys and in disturbance in general use to be rare but now it’s more prevalent,” said Holmes.

The incident remains under investigation. Police say it is possible there will be more arrests in the case.

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SKS Assault rifles
Sounds the bitch came looking for trouble and found it.